19 September, 2006 - Minister De Valera at Higher Options Conference

?Access to the right information is key to making the right choice? ? Minister De Valera

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Síle de Valera, T.D., today  addressed the opening of the 21st Higher Options Conference in the RDS, Dublin.  The conference provides a range of information for school leavers and mature students on the choices and opportunities that are available to them for further study, higher education and training. It is expected that over 25,000 students, guidance counsellors, mature students and parents will attend the conference which runs until 22 September.

"Never has the range of choices and study options been so varied and so broad.  This conference gives students an opportunity to look at what is available and to make decisions that will best suit them.  We must do all we can to ensure that the choices students make are appropriate to their talents and interests. Access to the right information is key to making the right choice." Minister de Valera said today. 
 
Highlighting the role of guidance in supporting students to make informed choices, Minister de Valera said "guidance counsellors play a key role in helping students to plan and make the best decisions for their futures. For this reason, my Department remains committed to the improvements that have been made for guidance in schools. These include providing extra teaching hours for guidance in DEIS   schools as well as providing funding for the continuous professional development of guidance counsellors. The development of a guidance resource for Transition Year students will help in particular, in the area of decision-making and self-management skills.
 
I am also delighted that we have provided funding for the development of the Qualifax website by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.  This wonderful resource provides up to date information on every course - third level, further education and adult education - in the 32 counties."
 
Congratulating the Irish Times and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors for their continued collaboration on organising the conference, Minister de Valera wished this year's conference every success.

 
Ends